To all, A short story to tell about my body work on the 6T4 Rockin Ranch Arrow. Way back in the early part of September 2023, I was happily hand sanding the body all the way around with 400 grit sandpaper, almost to the passenger side front fender. Yay, I thought, I almost got her ready for paint. I thought once more around with 600 grit , wipe her down and at last I felt good about finally getting her ready for paint. As I am an older retired Fireman past the 3/4 mark in years, I was getting hand cramps from the sanding. So, I made a command decision and got a bottle of water (beer came later) and sat down in my chair. Shortly after sitting down, my immediate supervisor came out to check on my status. So, I got up with pride in my thoughts as how far I had come along with the sanding. As I arose from the chair, I felt a very sharp intense pain down in the lower right outer side of my pelvis. I said something profound and quickly sat back in my chair. My wife asked if I was okay as I had some wet stuff coming from my eyes. I said I was okay, but right away she determined I was not telling her the truth. She went into the house and called the Dr office to get an appointment for me. Four days later, the Dr stated that I had a Hernia. So the paper work was sent up the chain of command and almost 8 weeks later, I was notified that I had an appointment with a Surgeon. The Surgeon confirmed that I did have a Hernia and surgery was recommended. Now almost a month later, I have the Surgery scheduled for next week. Yeah, maybe I can get this taken care of after almost three months. Will be glad when this is completed, as the left front fender still needs to be sanded down. Just wanted to share the frustration of waiting for the government to get their job done in such a "timely manner". Take care out there, RRA
I'm sorry to hear about the hernia. I'll send up a few prayers the surgery and the bureaucracy will both be quick and successful.
If they do yours like mine (laparoscopic), it's nbd, other than your body's getting invaded. Mine was done christmas time 2020, next summer I mixed and poured 2 yds concrete and built a small deck, the whole time thinkin that doc's gonna be pissed seeing me again. But nothing bad happened, he did a good job. Zero pain. I'm 82 btw, but then hadn't put my body thru what a fire fighter goes thru.
Best wishes on your surgery, and my thoughts are with your wife as well. I know how she is feeling. -Cin
To all, Thank you for your thoughts and kindness. It is greatly appreciated. I guess I just wanted to vent how much the current medical protocol seems so messed up to me. If I could have gotten in earlier before the dang thing spread it would have been great. Now they have to go down and do an incision along the pelvic area. The belly button incision would have been great if the dang paper work could have been approved in a timely manner. Anyway, Thank You ever so much for your thoughts. RRA
To all, Update on Surgery. All went well yesterday with Hernia Surgery. Somewhat sore in the area, but it will decrease over time. Will not be able to do much exercise (sanding) on the RRA for a while. Cannot lift anything per se for the next seven weeks. So maybe by the time Santa comes along it should be better and after the first of the year I hope to be back in the saddle again and get some sanding done. May all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, RRA
To all, First of all my wife and myself would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The Doc visit today was enlightening. I can now do minimal light work and no lifting or straining what so ever for the next four or more weeks. The good news, the 6 inch incision along the groin is healing well, but still somewhat tender. So basically, what that means is the yard work I have been putting off (leaf and pine needles raking and disposal) will now have to be addressed according to my immediate supervisor. I have made offers to the rain god to please deliver more moisture so I can get back sanding on the RRA and put off the yard work. Will see who has the most pull, my immediate supervisor or someone up above. I would like to Thank All of You for your support and good wishes. Ho Ho Ho, RRA
NO raking !! The sideways strain you put on your mid-section is WAY more than you should do yet. Pay somebody to do the yard work - don't be "that guy" who screws himself up trying to save a couple bucks. Either that, or tell the "supervisor" if it's so damn important, get out there herself and get it done .
pmrphil and handy_andt_cv64 Yeah, thanks for the insight - no raking for awhile------- Yeah !!!! Equal Rights does mean Equal Responsibilities' don't know if I want to go the whole route that way. After 53 years I ain't real sure if that will work. Besides, about the only thing I could possibly cook would be a bowl of dry cereal . After 50 plus years, I have somewhat learned whether to hold or fold them. It has worked out for 50 years, so will just hang in there and get back to the RRA when opportunities exist, like when she does our grocery shopping. Ya'll have a wonderful Christmas and a New Year as well, RRA
There is the problem that *a lot* of Americans consider "compromise" a "four-letter word." But just remember that "compromise" is defined as "a mutual accomodation that makes both sides unhappy."
Just now reading of this and surely lifting prayer that all goes well... Listen to your Dr. & therapist & Wife too Merry Christmas, Ann & Dennis
To all, Again, Thank You ever so much for your kind words and positive thoughts. Got the Tree up yesterday. All I did was hold it in the upright position, and my immediate supervisor did the stand thing. We leaned the tree into the stand, then I held it upright while she tightened the stand screws/bolts. Then the lights went on next, finally the xmas decorations were put on. We would like to wish everyone to have a wonderful Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Merry Christmas to all of you, Frank and Carole 1964 Graduation from High School - Ranchero belonged to my Father's Business
HA! As another 50+ year "survivor, we've somehow managed that mutual accomodation thing, though sometimes it doesn't feel that way,
To all, Some of the rest of the story about the Ranchero. It you are able to enlarge the photo, you may note that there is a Tachometer on the dash of the Ranchero. As this was one of my father's business vehicles and I got to drive it, but it was not mine. Anyway, a "friend" in high school had this "b*chin deal on a Tachometer. It was used, but it was also so cool, even though the Ranchero had a big block 170 CI in it. I bought the B*chin Tachometer and installed on the dash of the Ranchero. Well, being 17 and all, I caught Holy H*ll from my father for doing this to his vehicle. So now you know most of the rest of the story. Merry Christmas to all, Frank PS: I am honored to be included in the 50+ Survivor Club
